This project is managed by Hospitality.SG, a specialized hospitality and F&B platform headquartered in Singapore. Hospitality.SG proud to support global investors, owners, and operators in building transformative leadership teams across Singapore. Follow Hospitality.SG
Our client is one of the most prominent and well-capitalized sovereign wealth funds globally, managing a portfolio of diversified assets that span real estate, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, energy, and consumer sectors. With headquarters in the Middle East and an international footprint that includes Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, the fund is a long-term, disciplined investor known for partnering with leading institutions and deploying capital with strategic intent.
Hospitality is a core pillar of the fund’s real estate and alternative assets strategy. Its hospitality portfolio includes equity ownership in luxury hotels, resorts, and branded residences operated under iconic global brands. Many of these assets are located in global gateway cities and premium leisure destinations.
As the organization deepens its presence in Southeast Asia and Oceania, this newly created role reflects its commitment to value creation, regional market proximity, and world-class asset stewardship. The fund is looking to appoint a Vice President, Hospitality Operations – Southeast Asia & Oceania to serve as its regional operations lead and principal ownership representative across its portfolio.
Position Summary
This is a senior-level ownership role, responsible for overseeing the operational performance, brand delivery, and strategic development of the fund’s hospitality assets across Southeast Asia and Oceania. The Vice President, Hospitality Operations will serve as a key interface between the Middle East headquarters and the operating partners on the ground, with a mandate to optimize asset value, drive regional alignment, and support expansion.
Unlike a traditional hotel group leadership role, this position demands a blended perspective: part operational excellence leader, part strategic asset manager, and part commercial advisor. The successful candidate will bring deep experience in luxury and upper-upscale hotel operations, strong commercial instincts, a clear understanding of regional dynamics, and the gravitas to represent one of the world’s most influential capital owners.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Oversight
- Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for all hospitality assets within the Southeast Asia and Oceania region.
- Conduct in-depth reviews of hotel performance across key metrics including RevPAR, GOP, EBITDA, guest satisfaction, and sustainability indicators.
- Monitor operator compliance with management agreements and brand standards; challenge assumptions where necessary and hold partners accountable.
- Drive alignment between operating business plans and the fund’s investment return targets.
Stakeholder & Operator Management
- Serve as the lead liaison with hotel management companies, brand representatives, and general managers of each property.
- Lead or co-lead business plan reviews, budget approvals, capex prioritization, and operator strategy sessions.
- Negotiate or renegotiate management agreements and ensure optimal terms for the asset owner.
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with regional and global hospitality brand executives.
Capital Planning & Project Oversight
- Oversee the planning and execution of major refurbishments, repositioning programs, and technical upgrades.
- Evaluate the financial and operational feasibility of each capital project, ensuring alignment with market trends and brand strategy.
- Collaborate with external consultants, designers, and technical service providers to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery.
Development Support & Pre-Opening Strategy
- Advise on site selection, market feasibility, and operator selection for new hotel developments.
- Provide input on layout, design efficiency, service programming, and back-of-house operations during development.
- Ensure smooth pre-opening ramp-up and support go-to-market strategies for upcoming launches.
Portfolio Performance & Reporting
- Develop and maintain comprehensive dashboards to track performance across the asset portfolio.
- Prepare and deliver concise, insight-driven reports to the Global Head of Hospitality Operations and other senior stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities for portfolio enhancement including underperforming asset turnaround, asset rotation, or brand repositioning.
Market Intelligence & Regional Presence
- Maintain an active presence in the Southeast Asia and Oceania hospitality investment ecosystem.
- Stay current with regional operating trends, brand innovations, labor regulations, consumer preferences, and geopolitical developments.
- Represent the fund at selected industry forums, investment conferences, or brand summits.
Candidate Profile
Professional Experience
- At least 18–25 years of relevant experience in hospitality operations, hotel asset management, or strategic ownership advisory.
- Strong track record working with global hotel brands and operators in Asia-Pacific.
- Prior experience overseeing or supporting multi-property portfolios across several countries.
- Deep understanding of luxury and lifestyle segments, and exposure to both urban and resort environments.
Competencies & Skills
- Highly analytical with strong commercial orientation; able to interpret complex financial models and P&L statements.
- Skilled negotiator with experience structuring and managing long-term operating agreements.
- Excellent relationship manager with an ability to navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments.
- Cross-cultural fluency and regional sensitivity; able to operate across diverse business environments in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Real Estate, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- An MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is highly desirable.
Languages
- Fluency in English is required.
- Additional languages relevant to the region (e.g., Mandarin, Bahasa, Thai, Japanese) would be a strong advantage.
Mobility
- Based in Singapore (preferred) or another major regional city.
- Willingness to travel regularly within the region and occasionally to the fund’s headquarters in the Middle East.
What You’ll Gain
- An unparalleled opportunity to work at the intersection of global capital, luxury hospitality, and strategic asset ownership.
- Direct influence over some of the region’s most high-profile hospitality assets.
- The ability to shape operational, commercial, and development strategies across diverse markets.
- Exposure to an elite network of hotel brands, investment professionals, and global institutional stakeholders.